Alternatively, browse terms in alphabetical order according to their Chinese Pinyin 汉语拼音
The eight Daoist Immortals confirmed by Wu Yuantai 吴元泰 from Ming dynasty in his works ‘A Journey to the East by the Eight Daoist Immortals’ 《八仙出处东游记》 are Li Tieguai 李铁拐 (铁拐李), Lan Caihe蓝采和, Zhang Guolao张果老, Han Xiangzi韩湘子, Cao Guojiu曹国舅, Lu …
When Bing Ji (丙吉 d. 55 BCE) was a chancellor in the Han court, once he encountered the aftermath of a gang fight in the street. Bing Ji passed them without batting an eyelid. Further ahead, a buffalo passed and …
Continue reading “Bing Ji inquiring about a panting buffalo”
Bo Yi (or Boyi, 伯夷) and Shu Qi (or Shuqi, 叔齐) were sons of the ruler of Guzhu (孤竹), a vassal state of the Shang dynasty (商朝, 16th-11th cent. BCE). As the king was getting old, he wanted Shu Qi, …
Continue reading “Bo Yi and Shu Qi Trying to Stop the Mighty Zhou Army”
A legend recorded in a Chinese book, Huainanzi (淮南子), compiled around 139 BCE says a beautiful girl called Chang E (嫦娥) has been living on the moon for thousands of years. Chang E swallowed elixir and her body became so …
Young Chen Ping (陈平, ?–178 BCE), later a minister of Western Han dynasty, as being an exemplar of fairness in his everyday work. According to Sima Qian’s (司马迁, 145BCE – ?) famous work Historical Records – Prime Minister Chen’s Family …
When the Baron of the Zhou vassal state (周西伯) did a divination with oracle bones for his imminent hunting trip, the message came: ‘You will not catch a small bear or a large bear, but a teacher will be presented …
Continue reading “Jiang Ziya Was Discovered Angling by Baron of Zhou by the Wei River”
According to Confucian ethics, a man’s ambition and pride need to be balanced by humility. General Lian Po (廉颇, active 298–236 BC) and Minister Lin Xiangru (蔺相如, active ca. 279 BC) were colleagues in the government of the state of …
Continue reading “General Lian Po and Minister Lin Xiangru burying the hatchet”
When the old duke of Jin (晋) passed away, his heir was still in the cradle. It was with the powerful minister Zhao Dun (赵盾)’s support that he succeeded in ascending the throne. Unfortunately, the young duke, who was posthumously …
Continue reading “Duke Ling of Jin Sending His Dog to Attack Zhao Dun”
The young duke of the State of Jin (晋) who was posthumously given the title Duke Ling of Jin, Jìn Líng Gōng (晋灵公, ? – 607 BCE), has been known as a ‘ruler who does not deserve his title (bu …
Continue reading “Duke Ling of Jin shooting pedestrians with pellets”
In the Buddhist legend, at the beginning there was nothing but water in the world. Vajrapani ordered his disciples to scoop the ocean to see what was hidden there. The sun appeared in the first scoop and Vajrapani fixed the …
